In the 1912 game between the Yankees and Cleveland, pitchers Russ Ford and Fred Blanding exemplified the era's philosophy of allowing pitchers to hit even in crucial moments.
Ford's performance was rocky; he had led the league in losses that season, yet he was trusted to hit despite the high stakes of the game.
Cleveland's Blanding provided opportunities for the Highlanders to score, demonstrating how a pitcher's batting could influence the game's outcome despite their primary role as throwers.
The game reflects a transitional moment in baseball strategy, where the future implementation of the designated hitter was not yet considered, challenging traditional norms.
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